Air Pistol

This beginner-friendly match is fired indoors with .177 (4.5mm) calibre single shot air pistols at 10 metres. Pistols used vary considerably but mainly a use compressed air cylinder which can be filled from an aqualung or hand pumped. Older models require hand cocking before every shot. For men the match consists of 60 shots and for women 40 shots. Unlimited sighting or practice shots are allowed before the first competition shot. The maximum time allowed is 1 hour and 30 minutes for men and one hour for women. The club maintains a supply of high quality air pistol pellets suitable for target shooting which currently cost $15 for 500 pellets.

Standard 25 Metre

This 60 shot match is fired with .22 long rifle standard velocity ammunition from semi-automatic pistols at a distance of 25 metres. It is an ideal match for beginners. The target is the standard ISSF 25 metre precision target and after five non-scoring sighter shots in 150 seconds. The match is shot in three 20 shot stages. For the first 20 shots, shooters have 150 seconds to shoot five shots which is repeated in four brackets. In the second stage the target is exposed for only 20 seconds for every five shots, and in the third stage only 10 seconds for every five shots.

Rapid Fire

As the name suggests, this is the fastest of all matches. It is a 60 shot match fired with .22 calibre semi-automatic pistols using standard velocity ammunition. This match was traditionally shot with .22 short ammunition but a change to international rules in 2005 means that it is now shot with .22 long rifle ammunition from a standard pistol. Each shooter has five turning targets and in each bracket of five shots must aim to place one shot in each of the targets. The match is fired in two identical stages of 30 shots, each consisting of two groups of five shots fired in 8 seconds, two groups of five shots in 6 seconds and two groups of five shots fired in 4 seconds. A five shot sighter series in 8 seconds is allowed before each half. It is not a recommended match for beginners but once they have used a .22 semi-automatic pistol several times they will be better suited to the match and quickly pick up the rhythm required.

Centrefire

This match is for semi-automatic pistols or revolvers between .32 and .38 calibre and also consists of 60 shots at 25 metres. Jacketed ammunition is not allowed. The first 30 shot stage is precision shooting at the standard ISSF 25 metre precision target. After five sighter shots in five minutes, shooters shoot six brackets of five shots in five minutes. The second stage is timed fire using a rapid fire target. Following a sighter series of five shots, shooters fire six brackets of five shots at a turning target. The target faces away for seven seconds then faces for only three with the shooter discharging one shot every time the target turns to face them and then lowering the pistol to await the next time the target faces. This match is suitable for beginners but they may struggle with controlling the pistol in the second half.

Sports Pistol

This match is identical to centrefire except that a .22 calibre semi-automatic pistol is used. Sports pistol is shot alongside centrefire for female members, juniors and those who do not have centrefire pistols. This is an ideal beginners match.

Free Pistol 50m

This precision match is fired on the outdoor range with .22 long rifle standard velocity ammunition. Normally the distance is 50 metres but as we do not have an operational 50 metre range we used scaled down targets at 25 metres. There is no restriction on barrel length, sighting radius, weight, trigger pressure or overall dimensions, hence the name of the match, however, semi-automatic pistols must only be loaded with one bullet at a time. The match consists of 60 shots fired over a two hour period. Unlimited sighting shot are allowed before the first competition shot.

Classic Pistol

Through an initiative of the Victorian Amateur Pistol Association, on 30 November 2006 Victoria Police authorised two versions of ISSF matches to be fired with “Classic Pistols”.

The firearms allowed to be used must all be breech loading and of a type, calibre and action of a pattern in production up to 1955. An additional requirement is that the pistol is without apparent significant modification.

The “Classic Pistols” have been divided into four classes based on age of pattern with further sub sets of type and calibre.

Matches for these firearms are fired to the same rules and timing sequences specified for the ISSF 50 metre Pistol match or the Centre Fire match but with a reduced number of rounds fired – 40 scoring shots instead of 60 shots.

Traralgon Pistol Club conducts this event over 25 metres and alongside the Centrefire match.

Black Powder

As the name suggests, for this match shooters use revolvers which use black powder as propellant. Calibres vary but are usually between .38 and .45. At Traralgon we occasionally shoot the aggregate match which comprises 40 shots fired over 25 metres, with 20 shots being precision and 20 shots of rapid fire the same as for centrefire matches.

Air Pistol

Semi-Automatic .22

Competition Semi-Automatic .22

Revolver .357